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Background
Although Lamprologus stappersi is one of the more beautiful shelldwellers, this glittering, marbled fish seems to be having trouble gathering followers. It's gorgeous and easy to house, but not seen half as often as brevis, multis, or ocellatus, or even some of the larger species like caudopunctatus. It's a more recently known species than some of those, though, so perhaps it just needs some time. A common synonym which may turn out not to be the correct species name is Lamprologus meleagris.
There's a reason these fish are called the "Pearly ocellatus." With the attitude and shape of the occie, but white pearls covering their body and fins (think Pearl Gourami here, not Pearlscale goldfish), they're a distinctive, unmistakeable species.
What do the pearls look like? Well, here:
See those white and iridescent spots covering the fish in a very regular pattern? Those are them. Easy to miss the forest for the trees with this fish, but the pearls are there, and they give the fish a sort of texture the other shellies lack.
One of the characteristics that sets this species apart is its color change. When stressed, not breeding, bored, or just ornery, these fish drop their marbling and drop to an all-over beige, still with the pearls but plain. They're still glittery in the right light, but not exactly the showcase fish they ought to be - so see the care section for tips on keeping them healthy, happy, and marbled in color!
Care
These guys I've found to be a bit more exacting than many of their cousins. The main issue I've discovered is that they really like species tanks. Really really like them. They often fail to thrive when kept with active, aggressive, or large companions. The best bet for color, health, and disease immunity is keeping them in a species tank. A pair is easily maintained in a 10; just provide a few shells, spread well out. For larger groups, just allow a number of shells and as much floor space as possible - tank height is mostly useless. For example, a 40 long (48" x 12" x 12") could easily house five pairs, or, better, three or four males and six to eight females. A 55 (48" x 12" x 18") would hold the same number, and look a little silly besides. Low is better when you can't add a top-dweller.
Obviously they can be housed together with other Tangs if need be - after all, I do it. However, keep a sharp eye out for slimming down (you'd be amazed - they can stress-starve down so thin you're amazed the organs still fit in the body), stunting, and cowering in the top corners of the tank. Be prepared to remove the meleagris as soon as they seem even slightly stressed. Adult fish will be much better able to handle companions than juveniles, especially at full size, near two and half inches.
Other than that, the requirements are similar to that of other shellies - sand, shells, clean water, good food (occasional treats are not only great nutritionally but will make them color up for you, and display at each other), and a temperature of about 78 degrees.
If there's an easy way to sex this species, no one's shared the secret with me yet. Here's the only safe way: buy a group of six juveniles and raise them. It'll be clear eventually! You can also look for a known pair, but those will be much harder to track down.
Breeding
 These guys aren't quite as easy as the others, simply because they seem to take forever to grow up. The growth is quite slow, and maturation even slower. But if you have patience they work it all out and before you know they've even decided who's a boy and who's a girl, there are little heads poking out of someone's shell.
The female will lay the eggs in her shell and the male will fertilize them. Raising them isn't the easiest, since growth is very slow and the parents eventually reject them, especially the males - these are not colony fish. However, with some live food and a lot of water changes, and maybe a fry tank to be on the safe side, it's not too difficult.
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Scientific name: Lamprologus stappersi
Common names: Pearly ocellatus
Synonyms: Lamprologus meleagris, Neolamprologus stappersi
Origin: Lake Tanganyika, Africa (Republic of Congo)
Niche: Bottom, shelldwelling
Optimal pH: 7.6+
Optimal GH: 10-20 degrees
Optimal temperature: 75-78F (23-26C)
Adult length: 2.5"(7cm)
Diet: Carnivore, micropredator
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